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** President Signs Executive Order on Rescheduling Marijuana ([link removed])
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Flanked primarily by industry representatives, President Trump on December 18th directed his administration to follow a Biden policy recommendation and

proceed with the process of moving marijuana from Schedule I into Schedule III. This will harm America’s public health and help cartels. Here’shttps://learnaboutsam.org/marijuana-in-schedule-iii/a collection of resources and ideas ([link removed]) on what YOU can do to fight back. To join the backlash against Big Weed, click here ([link removed]) . ([link removed])


** WATCH: Kevin’s remarks the day Trump signed the order ([link removed])
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** C-SPAN: SAM talks about the huge risks of rescheduling marijuana ([link removed])
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In a 30-minute masterclass interview, SAM CEO Dr. Kevin Sabet took calls from the public and carefully laid out why marijuana rescheduling is a bad idea.

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** America’s Newsroom ([link removed]) : SAM explains why rescheduling marijuana would be a grave error
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Kevin went on Fox’s “America’s Newsroom” with Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino to tell the nation why Donald Trump’s plan to downgrade the federal classification of marijuana would harm public health.


** The Free Press ([link removed]) : Kevin talks about fighting legal weed in Massachusetts
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In a profile with The Free Press’s Josh Code, Dr. Kevin Sabet explained why legal recreational weed is a disaster and laid out the SAM-backed push to advance a ballot measure to end it in the Bay State. So far, more than 74,000 people have signed on, triggering legislative review.


** UnHerd ([link removed]) : Kevin Sabet and how reefer madness is here
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UnHerd US Editor Sohrab Ahmari profiled Dr. Sabet in-depth around his past, present, and future fight against Big Marijuana and its push to hook a new generation on high-potency products that cause heart disease, psychosis, and much more.


** NewsNation ([link removed]) : Kevin on “Elizabeth Vargas Reports”
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Kevin gave a master-class interview on rescheduling, the SAM effort in Massachusetts, and the wider fight for sound public health and drug policy on this widely viewed news program.


** SAM Spreads Global Message in Budapest
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Kevin and SAM EVP Luke Niforatos also attended the MCC Budapest Summit on the Global Drug Epidemic and generated wide European coverage, spanning multiple publications and languages like Magyar Nemzet, ([link removed]) exxpress, ([link removed]) and The Hungarian Conservative ([link removed]) .


** In the News
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Fox News: 'Terrible message': CEO unpacks 'puzzling' Trump pivot on drug ([link removed])
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New York Post:Shocking Medical Marijuana Study Reveals Big Weed’s Big Lies ([link removed])
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Washington Examiner: Trump’s Hemp Ban is a Huge Victory for Public Health ([link removed])
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Wall Street Journal: The Folly of Treating Marijuana like Alcohol ([link removed])


** REGISTER TODAY FOR THE 2026 SAM GOOD DRUG POLICY SUMMIT ([link removed])
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The 2026 SAM Good Drug Policy Summit will be taking place in partnership with the CADCA National Leadership Forum in National Harbor, MD.

This can’t-miss event features the best in evidence-based drug policy and will run from the afternoon of Thursday, February 5th through Friday, February 6th.

Contact [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=&body=) to learn about how you can get involved as a sponsor or speaker.
Register for the Summit Here ([link removed])


** Legislative Update
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Last week, President Trump signed an executive order to fast track marijuana rescheduling. This order will have devastating ramifications and lead to billions in tax breaks for the industry. However, our fight is far from over. We have legislation in the House and Senate called the No Deductions for Marijuana Businesses Act that would block rescheduling tax breaks. And we have more support on Capitol Hill than ever before: 50 Republican members of Congress and eight Republican State Attorneys General publicly rebuked the order in letters to the President. That kind of pushback is rare from the President's own party. We are still pushing onward to ensure that marijuana policy prioritizes public health and safety, not industry profits.


** Resource
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** SAM Deep Dive: Marijuana and Rescheduling ([link removed])
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As you know, President Trump recently issued an executive order to expedite the process to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. Because there is a lot of noise surrounding this topic, we wanted to offer some clarity about what drug scheduling means and why marijuana should remain in Schedule I.

Click here to read SAM’s Deep Dive on marijuana and rescheduling. ([link removed]) Find talking points, one-pagers, and other resources on the SAM site here ([link removed]) . Our new page Marijuana Will Be Rescheduled: Now What? ([link removed]) also includes actions you can take today to help ensure Big Marijuana doesn’t receive the tax break it is hoping for!


** State Updates
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Massachusetts: The campaign to repeal the legal sale of marijuana has collected enough signatures to move to the next phase in the ballot approval process. The ballot now goes to the state legislature, which can approve the measure, substitute its own, or ignore it. If lawmakers choose the last option, the measure must gather more signatures to proceed to the ballot in November.

Maine: The campaign to repeal marijuana legalization has been approved by the state to begin collecting signatures.

Ohio: Governor DeWine signed Senate Bill 56 into law, which bans all intoxicating hemp products and limits THC levels in marijuana products. Concentrates are set to 70%, and flower products are capped at 35% under the new law.


** Grassroots
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Representative Mary Miller (R, IL) speaks with PAN director Crissy Groenewegen and PAN parents Amy Wadsworth and Monica DiLossi at the SAM headquarters grand opening.

Parent Action Network ([link removed]) has had an exciting month! Earlier in December we were in DC for SAM’s grand opening of our new headquarters! This was an opportunity to see colleagues, supporters, legislators, partners and even PAN parents who came to celebrate, connect with each other and meet all the SAM staff who help make the opportunities for our parents possible.

Parents who attended were also able to speak with Congresswoman Mary Miller. Rep. Miller promised to continue to be our champion for enacting the updated Farm Bill, which now bans all hemp-derived THC products. It also gave these parents the chance to connect in person and draw strength from each other!

Given the closing of the Farm Bill loophole and the threat of rescheduling, PAN is focused on using parents’ stories and the Fortitude podcast to emphasize the importance of continued advocacy and the urgency for enacting the bill promptly.

PAN is also looking forward to the new year, where we will be focused on preparing for our day on Capitol Hill and amplifying your voices in 2026.


** Events and Trainings
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SAM Staff ([link removed]) opening the new headquarters in Washington, DC.


** Grand Opening of SAM’s Washington, DC Headquarters
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On December 10th, SAM celebrated the grand opening of our new office in Washington, DC. Legislators, staffers, supporters, PAN parents, and VIPs joined SAM staff to reaffirm that our work promoting health-first, science-based marijuana policy is here to stay.

Dr. Kevin Sabet with PAN parent Monica DiLossi.

Drs. Caroline and Robert DuPont with Kevin and Board Chair Jon Talcott.

SAM EVP Luke Niforatos with Andrew Kessler.


** SAM Trainings: Schedule a SAM Training today and learn what to say and how to say it.
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In-person and virtual trainings are now available for all age groups associated with non-profit organizations, corporations, healthcare, clinicians, social workers, counselors, schools, law enforcement, and local community groups around the country that want to educate their communities and employees on all issues surrounding marijuana.

To learn more about our speakers, please visit the training page on our website ([link removed]) . To schedule a training, please contact us at: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])


** Stat of the Month
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** Oregon overdose rates plummet after drugs recriminalized ([link removed]) ! ([link removed]) [link removed]
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Per new CDC data,[link removed] overdose deaths decreased by 26% in Oregon ([link removed]) between the 12-month periods ending in April 2024 and April 2025—the period during which the state’s Measure 110, a 2020 law that decriminalized all drugs, was largely repealed. This is incredible news, especially in light of the deadly drug crisis that had plagued Oregon for years.


** Donate ([link removed])
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SAM continues to closely monitor the White House’s actions related to the potential rescheduling of marijuana. We are actively working alongside partners in Washington, DC, and across the country to ensure that public health, science, and community safety remain at the center of this conversation. Your support allows us to engage decision makers at the highest levels and make sure the real harms of rescheduling are clearly understood, especially within the walls of the Oval Office. Please give today to help keep SAM’s voice strong and effective.
Support SAM’s Efforts Here ([link removed])

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